The MLS 2026 season was off to a flyer at the LA Memorial Coliseum when LAFC took on Inter Miami in the season opener. The two sides drew a record crowd and made MLS history.
LAFC Beats Inter Miami in Season Opener
Messi and Son had the spotlight on them ahead of the game, but it was Denis Bouanga who shone the brightest on the pitch. The LAFC star played a key role in the first goal, before scoring the second and assisting the third as the Black and Gold side eased to a 3-0 win.
The decision to move the match from the BMO Stadium, where LAFC usually plays, to the LA Memorial Coliseum proved to be the right one. The match drew 75,673 fans to the stadium as many rushed to watch the MLS stars kick off the 2026 season in style.
The attendance set a record for the largest opening-day crowd in MLS history. The massive capacity also saw it become the most attended soccer match in the world on Saturday, Feb. 21.
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Bouanga acknowledged the fans after the game, saying the atmosphere was good. He added that it was a great start to the season for LAFC as they look to win silverware and said:
“The atmosphere in the stadium was nice for the team. We know the fans are coming to support us. It’s good for my teammates and for me as we push in the season.”
The record attendance also made it the second-highest attendance in MLS history for a single game. LAFC was also involved in the record-breaking game, losing 2-1 to LA Galaxy in El Traffico back in July 2023 at the Rose Bowl.
The loss became Inter Miami’s most-attended match, beating the previous record by over 3000. Their pull so far in 2024 was 72,610, when they traveled to face Sporting Kansas City and won 3-2.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano had no excuses following the loss, admitting they need to get back to the drawing board and work on a solution quickly.
“The reality is that they beat us fair and square, that’s the truth. I think it’s often difficult to explain when you lose 3-0, three goals in a match, but my initial analysis gives me the feeling that the result was somewhat misleading. The game as it unfolded, there wasn’t that much of a difference.”
Inter Miami face Orlando City next in the MLS, but have a trip to Puerto Rico to play a friendly against Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A champions Independiente del Valle during the week.
